Jeremiah 50:44

44 Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan unto the strong habitation; but I will rest and will make him run from upon her; and he who shall be chosen I will appoint over her. For who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who is that shepherd that will stand before me?

Jeremiah 50:44 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 50:44

Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of
Jordan
What is said of Nebuchadnezzar coming up against Edom is here said of Cyrus coming up against Babylon; for of a king it is to be understood; as the Targum,

``behold, a king with his army shall come up against them, as a lion from the height of Jordan;''
see ( Jeremiah 49:19 ) ; unto the habitation of the strong;
to Babylon; where dwelt the king, his nobles, and his mighty men: but I will make them suddenly run away from her;
as they did from her king Belshazzar, when Gobrias and Gadates entered the royal palace, and seized upon him F1; and who [is] a chosen [man, that] I may appoint over her?
or, "a young man" F2? such an one Cyrus was, who, by divine appointment, became master and governor of Babylon: and who will appoint me the time?
to enter the lists with me, and litigate the point with me in a court of judicature, or contend with me in battle: and who [is] that shepherd that will stand before me?
or king? not Belshazzar, he could not stand before the Lord: so the Targum,
``there is no king that hath strength before me;''
that is, to withstand him, or hinder what he has appointed and ordered to be done; (See Gill on Jeremiah 49:19).
FOOTNOTES:

F1 lbid.
F2 (rwxb ym) "quis juvenis?" Cocceius, Schmidt.

Jeremiah 50:44 In-Context

42 They shall hold the bow and the lance; they shall be cruel and will not show mercy: their voice shall roar like the sea, and they shall ride upon horses, every one put in array, like a man to the battle, against thee, O daughter of Babylon.
43 The king of Babylon has heard the report of them, and his hands waxed feeble; anguish took hold of him, and pangs as of a woman in travail.
44 Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan unto the strong habitation; but I will rest and will make him run from upon her; and he who shall be chosen I will appoint over her. For who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who is that shepherd that will stand before me?
45 Therefore hear ye the counsel of the LORD that he has taken against Babylon and his thoughts that he has purposed against the land of the Chaldeans: Surely the least of the flock shall drag them out, and they shall destroy their habitations with them.
46 At the noise of the taking of Babylon, the earth was moved, and the cry was heard among the Gentiles.
The Jubilee Bible (from the Scriptures of the Reformation), edited by Russell M. Stendal, Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2010